I have evaded the genre for too long. Now, it's catching up with me. I am speaking of...steampunk.Let me say, I don't read the stories. The closest I've come has been watching Wild, Wild West with Kevin Klein and Will Smith. Oh, and the Castle episode. I'm sure steampunk fans would say that's hardly representative of the impressive world, but there you have it. And although I haven't delved into the genre, I sill like it.I found out that an upcoming writers' conference I will be attending is having a steampunk dinner as one of the evening events, and costumes are encouraged.I love steampunk costumes. I have friends who make beautiful costumes. And I know I could never pull together something like that on my own. My problem is similar to that of the Renaissance Festivals. While I would love to dress up, I would want the costume to look authentic. I would want the hair, the dress, the accessories, the accent. Total immersion.So this idea of a steampunk costume makes me a little nervous. I've done some research. I've pulled out some pieces of old costumes and evening dresses that might work as a base. And thankfully, I have until April to make this happen. The gears are whirring deep within my brain!I'll share my journey with you here, although this in no way means I am dedicated to the genre. For those who enjoy it, keep on! I'll stick with my fancy, sleek, tech-laden starships. But for just one night, I'll pay tribute to the wild, wacky world of steampunk.